Academic Comparison between Smith and Salem State

Smith College and Salem State University are frequently compared when students or parents prepare college admissions. Smith is a four-year, private (not-for-profit) school located in Northampton, MA and Salem State is a four-year, public school located in Salem, MA.

Comparison at a Glance

The following list compares two colleges briefly in important perspectives. You can compare them with comprehensive information on full comparison page.

  • Smith is a private (not-for-profit) and Salem State is a public school and both are four-year schools.
  • Smith has more expensive tuition & fees ($65,178) than Salem State ($19,531).
  • It is harder to admit to Smith than Salem State.
  • Salem State has more students with 6,230 students while Smith has 2,857 students.
  • Smith has a lower number of students per faculty with 8 to 1 while Salem State's ratio is 12 to 1.
  • Smith has more full-time faculties with 338 faculties while Salem State has 296 full-time faculties.
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Comparison Table with important Academic Factors

Smith Collegevs.Salem State University
Northampton, MassachusettsLocationSalem, Massachusetts
Four-year, Private (not-for-profit)School Typefour-year, Public
Doctor's degreeHighest Degree OfferedMaster's degree
Baccalaureate College - Arts & SciencesCarnegie ClassificationMaster's College and University (larger programs)
$65,1782025 Tuition & Fees
In-State$12,338
Out-Of-State$19,531
71%% Receiving Financial Aid72%
$57,028Average Amount of Financial Aid$10,493
21.00 %Acceptance Rates95.88 %
35.44 %Yield (Enrollment Rates)11.25 %
1,490SAT Score-
34ACT Score-
89 %Graduation Rate50 %
7 %Transfer-out Rate-
94 %Retention Rate75 %
2,857Student Population6,230
338Number of Faculties296
8 to 1Students to Faculty Ratio12 to 1
Study Abroad, Teacher CertificationSpecial Learning OpportunitiesDistance Learning (Online Classes), ROTC, Study Abroad, Teacher Certification
Academic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement servicesOn Campus Student ServicesAcademic/career counseling service, Employment services, Placement services